PLUNGING temperatures and blizzards brought chaos to much of Britain yesterday, stranding motorists and forcing schools to close.

Police and the military were battling through snow to help more than 100 vehicles, including coaches, which had ground to a halt on Cornwall's Bodmin Moor.

Residents said more than five inches had fallen in the area.

Meanwhile, police forces in the worst-hit parts of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and South West England reported a spate of weather-related rescues and crashes on treacherous roads, despite gritters working flat out overnight.

A South Wales Police spokesman said conditions were particularly bad in the valleys and a 50mph speed limit was placed on the M4.

A South Wales Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said the force was dealing with several road accidents caused by the bitter weather.

However, despite the extreme conditions one postman in Wales was determined to make sure his customers still received their mail.

Intrepid Bobby Griffiths braved a blizzard and walked eight miles to work yesterday to ensure his letters were delivered.

Mr Griffiths, 56, who has been a postman for 34 years, was forced to go on foot from his home in Ferryside, near Llanelli, south Wales to his delivery office in Kidwelly when his car would not start.

He was praised by his bosses as a shining example of the "mail must get through" work ethic of the majority of postmen and women.